Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with CaliDental Seaside to conduct oral health screenings for kindergarten students at Del Rey Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, Ord Terrace Elementary, and Marina Vista Elementary for the term upon execution through June 30, 2027, at no cost to the County of Monterey; and
b. Approve a non-standard Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments that do not significantly change the scope.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with CaliDental Seaside to conduct oral health screenings for kindergarten students at Del Rey Elementary, Martin Luther King Elementary, Ord Terrace Elementary, and Marina Vista Elementary for the term upon execution through June 30, 2027, at no cost to the County of Monterey; and
b. Approve a non-standard Agreement as recommended by the Director of Health Services; and
c. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments that do not significantly change the scope.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey’s Health Department was first awarded a grant from California Department of Public Health, Office of Oral Health in 2017. A second award was received in 2022. Funding for this grant is made possible by the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tax Act of 2016 (Prop 56). Under the grant agreement, the Health Department’s Local Oral Health Program (LOHP) will improve oral health by working collectively with community partners to promote oral health and increase access to dental care in underserved areas and priority populations.
The overarching goal of the LOHP is to build disease prevention capacity and improve the oral health of Monterey County residents through prevention, education, and organized community efforts. This will reduce the disease burden and increase access to oral health services for high-risk populations. During the 2021-2022 school year, 1,999 students participated in a kindergarten oral health assessment in Monterey County. Of the students screened, 383 students (19 percent) had untreated tooth decay. An increase in dental homes and professional care that utilize evidence-based approaches will reduce the number of students with dental caries.
The LOHP, in collaboration with CaliDental, will provide dental screenings at four Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) elementary schools where 80% of students are eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals (FRPM). High percentage of students eligible for FRPM serves as a surrogate for increased risk for untreated dental decay and poor oral health. The four MPUSD schools identified within the mentioned FRPM guidelines are: Del Rey Woods Elementary, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary Jr., Ord Terrace Elementary, and Marina Vista Elementary. Passive parent opt-out consent forms for participation in oral health screenings, education and referrals to dental providers will be distributed to parents by the four schools in advance of screening events. Parents who opt out of oral health screenings will be required to sign and return the opt-out form to their child’s school. An estimated 211 kindergarten students will be screened by CaliDental. LOHP will share screening results with MPUSD nurses and health aides and establish a referral process to connect students and parents with appropriate dental services based on parents’ needs, including referral to dental services provided by CaliDental. MPUSD students with emergency dental care will be referred to a CaliDental office for extended care or to their dental care home.
Community clinical linkage strategies and activities will encourage preventative care, early diagnosis, and early intervention/self-management for improved oral health through an equity-focused multi-level (individual, community, healthcare) approach. In collaboration with CaliDental, LOHP will address the oral health needs of Monterey County residents through an event-based referral process between schools and dental providers and facilitate oral health screenings. This MOU is intended to promote and facilitate oral health services, education and prevention for high-risk Monterey County children and their parents.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Empower the community to improve health; 2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention; and 3. Ensure access to culturally and linguistically appropriate, customer-friendly, quality health services. It also supports three of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues; 4. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems; and 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form and fiscal provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There is no exchange of funds between parties associated with this Agreement. County costs are 100% grant-funded by LOHP. There is no impact to the General Fund from approval of this action. Health’s FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget (001-4000-8124-HEA003) includes appropriations for this Agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services, promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses, and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Veronica Salinas, Management Analyst, 755-4630
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Memorandum of Understanding